Feed-through

ABSTRACT

A feed-through, in particular a feed-through which passes through part of a housing, in particular a battery housing, for example made of metal, in particular light metal, for example aluminum, an aluminum alloy, AlSiC, magnesium, an magnesium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, steel, stainless steel or high-grade steel. The housing part has at least one opening through which at least one conductor, in particular an essentially pin-shaped conductor, embedded in a glass or glass ceramic material, is guided. The base body is, for example, an essentially annular-shaped base body and is hermetically sealed with the housing part such that the helium leakage rate is smaller than 1*10 −8  mbar l/sec.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/967,870, entitled “FEED-THROUGH”, filed Aug. 15, 2013, which is acontinuation of PCT application No. PCT/EP2012/000698, entitled“FEED-THROUGH”, filed Feb. 17, 2012, both of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a feed-through, in particular to a feedthrough which passes through a part of a housing, such as a battery cellhousing, whereby the housing part has at least one opening through whichat least one essentially pin shaped conductor embedded in a glass- orglass ceramic material is guided.

2. Description of the Related Art

Lithium-ion batteries have been known for many years. In this regard werefer you to the “Handbook of Batteries, published by David Linden, 2ndissue, McGrawhill, 1995, chapters 36 and 39”.

Various aspects of lithium-ion batteries are described in a multitude ofpatents, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 961,672; 5,952,126; 5,900,183;5,874,185; 5,849,434; 5,853,914 and 5,773,959.

Lithium-ion batteries, for example for applications in the automobileindustry, generally feature a multitude of individual battery cellswhich are generally connected in-series. The in-series connected batterycells are usually combined into so-called battery packs and then to abattery module which is also referred to as a lithium-ion battery. Eachindividual battery cell has electrodes which are led out of a housing ofthe battery cell.

In the use of lithium-ion batteries, for example in the automobileindustry, a multitude of problems such as corrosion resistance,stability in accidents and vibration resistance must be solved. Anadditional problem is the hermetic seal of the battery cells over anextended period of time. The hermetic seal may be compromised by leakagein the area of the electrodes of the battery cell or respectively theelectrode feed-through of the battery cell. Such leakages may be causedby temperature changes and alternating mechanical stresses, for examplevibrations in the vehicle or aging of the synthetic material. Ashort-circuit or temperature changes in the battery or respectivelybattery cell can lead to a reduced life span of the battery or thebattery cell.

In order to ensure better stability in accidents, a housing for alithium-ion battery is suggested, for example in DE 101 05 877 A1,whereby the housing includes a metal jacket which is open on both sidesand which is being sealed. The power connection, or respectively theelectrodes, are insulated by plastic. A disadvantage of the plasticinsulations is the limited temperature resistance, the limitedmechanical stability, aging and the uncertain hermetic seal over theservice life. The feed-throughs on the lithium-ion batteries accordingto the current state of the art are therefore not integratedhermetically sealed into the cover part of the lithium-ion battery.Moreover, the electrodes are crimped and laser welded connectingcomponents with additional insulators in the interior of the battery.

An additional problem with the lithium-ion batteries according to thecurrent state of the art is that the battery cells occupy a large spaceand because of the high currents due to resistance losses, heat andtemperature changes occur quickly.

An alkaline battery has become known from DE 27 33 948 A1 wherein aninsulator, for example glass or ceramic, is joined directly by means ofa fusion seal with a metal component.

One of the metal parts is connected electrically with an anode of thealkaline battery and the other is connected electrically with a cathodeof the alkaline battery. The metals used in DE 27 33, 948 A1 are iron orsteel. Light metals like aluminum are not described in DE 27 33 948 A1.Also, the sealing temperature of the glass or ceramic material is notcited in DE 27 33 948 A1. The alkaline battery described in DE 27 33 948A1 is a battery with an alkaline electrolyte which, according to DE 2733 948 A1, contains sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. Lithium-ionbatteries are not mentioned in DE 27 33 948 A1.

A method to produce asymmetrical organic carboxylic acid esters and toproduce anhydrous organic electrolytes for alkali-ion batteries hasbecome known from DE 698 04 378 T2, or respectively EP 0885 874 B1.Electrolytes for rechargeable lithium-ion cells are also described in DE698 04 378 T2, or respectively EP 0 885 874 B1.

Materials for the cell pedestal which receives the through-connectionare not described; only materials for the connecting pin which mayconsist of titanium, aluminum, a nickel alloy or stainless steel.

An RF-feed through (Radio-Frequency feed-through) with improvedelectrical efficiency is described in DE 699 23 805 T2, or respectivelyEP 0 954 045 B1. The feed-throughs known from DE 699 23 805 T2, orrespectively EP 0 954 045 B1, are not glass-metal feed-throughs.Glass-metal feed-throughs which are provided immediately inside, forexample the metal wall of a packing, are described in EP 0 954 045 B1 asbeing disadvantageous since RF-feed throughs of this type, due toembrittlement of the glass, are not durable.

DE 690 230 71 T2, or respectively EP 0 412 655 B1, describes aglass-metal feed-through for batteries or other electro-chemical cells,whereby glasses having a SiO₂ content of approximately 45 weight-% arebeing used and metals, in particular alloys, are being used whichcontain molybdenum and/or chromium and/or nickel. The use of lightmetals is also insufficiently addressed in DE 690 230 71 T2, as aresealing temperatures or bonding temperatures for the used glasses.According to DE 690 230 71 T2, or respectively EP 0 412 655 B1, thematerials used for the pin shaped conductor are alloys which containmolybdenum, niobium or tantalum.

A glass-metal feed-through for lithium-ion batteries has become knownfrom U.S. Pat. No. 7,687,200. According to U.S. Pat. No. 7,687,200 thehousing was produced from high-grade steel and the pin-shaped conductorfrom platinum/iridium. The glass materials cited in U.S. Pat. No.7,687,200 are glasses TA23 and CABAL-12. According to U.S. Pat. No.5,015,530, these are CaO—MgO—Al₂O₃—B₂O₃ systems having sealingtemperatures of 1025° C. or 800° C. Moreover, glass compositions forglass-metal feed-throughs for lithium batteries have become known fromU.S. Pat. No. 5,015,530 which contain CaO, Al₂O₃, B₂O₃, SrO and BaOwhose sealing temperatures are in the range of 650° C.-750° C. and whichare therefore too high for use with light metals.

A feed-through has become known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,101 wherein anessentially pin-shaped conductor is sealed into a metal ring with aglass material. The metal ring is then inserted into an opening or borein a housing and is joined material to material through welding, forexample through interlocking of a welding ring. The metal ring consistsof a metal which has essentially the same or similar thermal coefficientof expansion as the glass material in order to compensate for the highthermal coefficient of expansion of the aluminum of the battery housing.In the design variation described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,101 the lengthof the metal ring is always shorter than the bore or opening in thehousing. No references are made in U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,101 to the glasscompositions, neither is a special application described for thefeed-through, for example for batteries, in particular lithium-ionaccumulators.

What is needed in the art is a feed-through which avoids the problems ofthe current state of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a feed-through, a conductor, for examplean essentially pin-shaped conductor, embedded in a glass or glassceramic material, which is guided through an opening in a part of ahousing, such as a housing for a battery cell, for example made of alight metal having a low melting temperature point, such as aluminum, analuminum alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloyor of a metal, such as steel, high-grade steel, for example stainlesssteel or AlSiC.

A battery according to the present invention is to be understood to be adisposable battery which is disposed of and/or recycled after itsdischarge, as well as an accumulator.

Accumulators, for example lithium-ion batteries, are intended forvarious applications, for example for portable electronic equipment,cell phones, power tools and electric vehicles. The batteries canreplace traditional energy sources, for example lead-acid batteries,nickel-cadmium batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries.

The present invention more specifically provides a feed-throughincluding at least one conductor, in particular an essentiallypin-shaped conductor and a base body, such as an essentially ring-shapedbase body. In one embodiment of the feed-through, through the housingcomponent with an additional base body in which the conductor, inparticular into which the pin-shaped conductive material is sealed, itis possible to pre-manufacture the feed-through. In other words it ispossible to seal the pin material into the base body and subsequentlyinstall it into the housing component, in particular into a batterycell. The base body can then be optimized for the respectivemanufacturing technology, shape of the feed-through and shape of thehousing. Substantially smaller heating devices can then be used due topre-manufacturing than when sealing directly into the housing part,since the entire housing component does not need to be heated, forexample in an oven, but instead only the base body with it'ssubstantially smaller dimensions. An embodiment of a feed-through ofthis type where pre-manufacturing of the feed-through, which includes abase body and a conductor, in particular an essentially pin-shapedconductor is possible, moreover makes possible a cost effectiveintegration of the feed-through into the opening of the housingcomponent, for example in a single step process, for example byutilizing strain-hardening options of the housing component. Effectivelythis means that that the opening is first worked into the housingcomponent, for example into the cover, for example by means of stamping.The housing is strain-hardened since it is not heated. In contrasthereto, the base body is soft, since during sealing of the pin-shapedconductor with a glass or glass ceramic material it is heated. In thisway, it is possible to produce a structurally stable battery cellhousing, in particular in the area of the feed-through, since incontrast to—for example—direct sealing into a housing part, no loss ofthe strain-hardening in the housing part, in particular the cover,occurs. An additional advantage is that the material strength of thehousing component compared to the base body into which the sealing ofthe pin-shaped conductor occurs can be selected to be clearly less. Forexample, the material strength of the housing part can be 1.5millimeters (mm) or less, whereas the base body, due to reasons ofstrength, has a thickness of approximately 2.0 mm, for example 3.0 mm ormore. The material thickness of the housing, or respectively housingpart, is, for example between approximately 1 mm and 3 mm, or between1.5 mm and 3 mm. The thickness of the base body is between approximately2 mm and 6 mm, for example between 2.5 mm and 5 mm. The thickness of thebase body is hereby always adapted to the material thickness of thehousing or the housing part, in particular the battery cover, into whichthe feed-through is placed. In the case of direct sealing, unnecessarilygreat material thicknesses would in contrast be required.

Another advantage is that the materials for the base body and housingpart can be selected to be different, in particular in regard to thematerial quality and the selection of the alloy. The feed-through can beconnected with the base body in the housing component hermeticallysealed by welding, pressing, crimping, and shrinking. When joining thefeed-through with the housing component, for example by welding, care istaken to keep the temperature input as low as possible in order to avoiddamage to the glass or glass ceramic material. In this application“hermetically sealed” means that the helium-leakage is less than 1×10⁻⁸bar liters per second (l/sec). In contrast to the current state of theart wherein a synthetic material seal has to be provided for thefeed-through in a multistep process, a hermetically sealed connection ofthe inventive feed-through component with the housing component can beproduced in a single, simple process step.

Moreover, the selection of the base body can occur also in considerationof the material of the housing part, both as far as the edgeconfiguration, as well as the material hardness are concerned and alsothe method of closure of the housing. If the housing of the battery cellconsists, for example, of aluminum, then the material for the base bodymay be selected to be also aluminum.

Moreover it is possible to also introduce other functions in the housingpart, in addition to the feed-throughs, for example a safety valveand/or battery filling opening.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the housing partand/or the base body, for example the essentially ring-shaped base body,includes as its material a metal, in particular a light metal such astitanium, a titanium alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, an aluminumalloy, aluminum, AlSiC, but also steel, stainless steel or high-gradesteel. As the titanium alloy, Ti 6246 and/or Ti 6242 may be used.Titanium is a material which is well tolerated by the body, so that itis used for medical applications, for example in prosthetics. Due to itsstrength, resistance and low weight, its use is also favored in specialapplications, for example in racing sports, but also in aerospaceapplications.

Additional materials for the base body and/or the housing components arealso high-alloyed tool steels which are intended for a later heattreatment. Suitable for use as high-grade steels are, for example,X12CrMoS17, X5CrNi1810, XCrNiS189, X2CrNi1911, X12CrNi177,X5CrNiMo17-12-2, X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2, X6CrNiTi1810 and X15CrNiSi25-20,X10CrNi1808, X2CrNiMo17-12-2, X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2. In order to be able toprovide an especially effective weldability during laser welding as wellas during resistance welding, high-grade steels, in particularCr—Ni-steels having material grade numbers (WNr.) according to Euro-Norm(EN) 1.4301, 1.4302, 1.4303, 1.4304, 1.4305, 1.4306, 1.4307 are used asmaterials for the base body and/or the housing part, in particular thebattery cell housing. St35, St37 or St38 can be used as standard steel.

Copper (Cu) or a copper alloy may be used for the pin-shaped conductor,if the pin-shaped conductor is to be connected to a cathode of theelectrochemical cell or battery, and aluminum (Al) or an aluminum alloy,if the conductor, in particular the pin-shaped conductor, is to beconnected to an anode. Other materials for the pin-shaped conductor canbe magnesium, a magnesium alloy, a copper alloy, CuSiC, AlSiC, NiFe, acopper core, that is a NiFe jacket with an interior copper part, silver,a silver alloy, gold, a gold alloy, as well as a cobalt-iron alloy.

As aluminum, or respectively an aluminum alloy, in particular for theconductor, the following can be used:

EN AW-1050 A;

EN AW-1350;

EN AW-2014;

EN AW-3003;

EN AW-4032;

EN AW-5019;

EN AW-5056;

EN AW-5083;

EN AW-5556A;

EN AW-6060; or

EN AW-6061.

As copper, in particular for the conductor, the following can be used:

Cu-PHC 2.0070;

Cu-OF 2.0070;

Cu-ETP 2.0065;

Cu-HCP 2.0070; or

Cu-DHP 2.0090.

In the current application metals which have a specific weight of lessthan 5.0 kilograms per cubic decimeter (kg/dm³) are understood to belight metals. The specific weight of the light metals is, for example,in the range of between approximately 1.0 kg/dm³ and 3.0 kg/dm³.

If the light metals are additionally used as materials for theconductors, for example for the pin-shaped conductor or the electrodeconnecting component, then the light metals further distinguishthemselves through a specific electric conductivity in the range ofbetween 5·10⁶ Siemens per meter (S/m) to 50×10⁶S/m. When used incompression seal feed-throughs the coefficient of expansion α of thelight metal for the range of 20° C. to 300° C. is moreover in the rangeof 18×10⁻⁶/K to 30×10⁻⁶/K (Kelvin).

Light metals generally have melting temperatures in the range of betweenapproximately 350° C. and 800° C.

The base body is, for example, in the embodiment of a ring-shaped basebody, such as in a circular shape, but also oval. The oval shape isutilized, for example, when the housing part, in particular the coverpart of the battery cell into whose opening(s) the feed-through isintegrated, has a narrow longitudinal shape and the glass orrespectively glass ceramic material with which the pin-shaped conductoris guided through the housing part into the opening is integrated fullybetween the base body and the pin-shaped conductor. With a configurationof this type, the feed-through including the pin-shaped conductor and anessentially ring-shaped base body, can be pre-manufactured.

For this embodiment of the feed-through according to the presentinvention, glass or glass ceramic materials may be used which have asealing temperature which is lower than the melting temperature of thebase body and/or the essentially pin-shaped conductor. Such exemplaryglass or glass ceramic compositions having low sealing temperatures,include the following components:

P₂O₅ 35-50 mol-%, for example 39-48 mol-%;

Al₂O₃ 0-14 mol-%, for example 2-12 mol-%;

B₂O₃ 2-10 mol-%, for example 4-8 mol-%;

Na₂O 0-30 mol-%, for example 0-20 mol-%;

M₂O 0-20 mol-%, for example 12-20 mol-%, whereby M is K, Cs or Rb;

PbO 0-10 mol-%, for example 0-9 mol-%;

Li₂O 0-45 mol-%, for example 0-40 mol-%, or 17-40 mol-%;

BaO 0-20 mol-%, for example 0-20 mol-%, or 5-20 mol-%; and

Bi₂O₃ 0-10 mol-%, for example 1-5 mol-%, or 2-5 mol-%.

A further exemplary is the composition including the followingcomponents in mol-%:

P₂O₅ 38-50 mol-%, for example 39-48 mol-%;

Al₂O₃ 3-14 mol-%, for example 2-12 mol-%;

B₂O₃ 4-10 mol-%, for example 4-8 mol-%;

Na₂O 10-30 mol-%, for example 0-20 mol-%;

K₂O 10-20 mol-%, for example 12-19 mol-%; and

PbO 0-10 mol-%, for example 0-9 mol-%.

The previously listed glass compositions distinguish themselves not onlythrough a low sealing temperature and a low Tg, but also in that theyhave sufficient resistance to battery-electrolytes and in this respectensure the required long-term durability.

The glass materials specified as exemplary are stable phosphate glasseswhich, as known, alkali-phosphate glasses have clearly a low overallalkali content.

Because of the generally high crystallization-stability of the phosphateglasses it is ensured that the sealing of the glasses is generally nothampered even at temperatures of <600° C. This allows for most of thelisted glass compositions to be used as solder glass since sealing ofthe glass compositions is generally not hampered even at temperatures of<600° C.

The previously mentioned glass compositions contain lithium, which isintegrated in the glass structure. The glass compositions are herebyespecially suited for lithium-ion storage devices which includeelectrolytes based on lithium, for example a 1 molar (M) LiPF₆-solution,including a 1:1 mixture of ethylene-carbonate and dimethyl-carbonate.

Further exemplary compositions are low sodium or respectivelysodium-free glass compositions, since the diffusion of the alkali-ionsoccurs in Na+>K+>Cs+ sequence and since, therefore, low sodium glassesor respectively sodium-free glasses are especially resistant toelectrolytes, especially those which are used in lithium-ion storagedevices.

Moreover, these types of glass compositions have a thermal expansion αin a temperature range of between approximately 20° C. to 300°C.>14×10⁻⁶/K, especially between 15×10⁻⁶/K and 25×10⁻⁶/K. An additionaladvantage of the glass composition of the present invention is thatsealing of the glass with the surrounding light metal or respectivelythe metal of the conductor, in particular in the embodiment of a metalpin, is possible also in a gaseous atmosphere which is not an inert gasatmosphere. In contrast to the previously used method, a vacuum is alsono longer necessary for Al-sealing. This type of sealing can ratheroccur under atmospheric conditions. For both types of sealing nitrogen(N₂) or argon (Ar) can be used as inert gas. As a pre-treatment forsealing, the metal is cleaned and/or etched, and if necessary issubjected to targeted oxidizing or coating. During the process,temperatures of between 300° C. and 600° C. are used at heating rates of0.1 to 30 Kelvin per minute (K/min.) and dwell times of 1 to 60 minutes.

The sealing temperature may, for example, be determined through thehemispherical temperature as described in R. Görke, K. J. Leers: Keram.Z. 48 (1996) 300-305, or according to DIN 51730, ISO 540 or CEN/TS 15404and 15370-1 whose disclosure content is incorporated in its entiretyinto the current patent application. The measurement of thehemispherical temperature is described in detail in DE 10 2009 011 182A1 whose disclosure content is incorporated in its entirety into thecurrent patent application. According to DE 10 2009 011 182A1, thehemispherical temperature can be determined in a microscopic process byusing a heating stage microscope. It identifies the temperature at whichan originally cylindrical test body melted into a hemispherical mass. Aviscosity of approximately log η=4.6 deciPascals (dPas) can be allocatedto the hemispherical temperature, as can be learned from appropriatetechnical literature. If a crystallization-free glass, for example inthe form of a glass powder, is melted and then cooled so that itsolidifies, it can then normally be melted down again at the samemelting temperature. For a bonded connection with a crystallization-freeglass this means that the operating temperature to which the bondedconnection is continuously subjected may not be higher than the sealingtemperature. Glass compositions as utilized in the current applicationare generally often produced from a glass powder which is melted downand which, under the influence of heat provides the bonded connectionwith the components which are to be joined. Generally, the sealingtemperature or melting temperature is consistent with the level of theso-called hemispherical temperature of the glass. Glasses having lowsealing temperatures, or respectively melting temperatures, are alsoreferred to as solder glass. Instead of sealing or melting temperature,one speaks of solder temperature or soldering temperature in thisinstance. The sealing temperature, or respectively the soldertemperature, may deviate from the hemispherical temperature by +20K.

It is further feasible if the housing part of the battery housing orrespectively the battery cell housing has an outside and an inside, andthe base body of the feed-through is connected with the inside or theoutside of the housing part, for example by flanging, welding, pressing,soldering or shrinking.

The base body may have a protrusion, so that a part of the base bodyengages into the opening of the housing component, and that another partof the base body protrudes over the opening and rests on the inside orthe outside of the housing part or respectively can be connected therewith the housing part.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the pin-shapedconductor also includes a head part or respectively a connectingcomponent. The head part can have an extension protruding over the headpart. The extension can serve to center electrodes or electrodeconnecting parts. In the embodiment featuring a head part, electrodeconnecting parts or respectively the battery electrodes can be connectedto the head part which extends into the interior of the battery cellhousing.

The extension may have another outside contour different than thepin-shaped conductor. It is therefore possible that the pin-shapedconductor has an oval outside contour and the extension in contrast aring-shaped outside contour. Also, the dimensions do not necessarilyneed to be the same.

In addition to the feed-through, the present invention also provides ahousing, for example for an electrical storage device, in particular abattery cell. The housing includes at least one housing part having atleast one opening and is characterized in that the opening of thehousing part accommodates an inventive feed-through with at least onepin-shaped conductor which is sealed into a base body.

The battery cell which is provided for the housing is, for example abattery cell for a lithium-ion battery.

The present invention moreover provides a method to produce afeed-through with at least one essentially pin-shaped conductor, wherebythe method includes the following steps:

-   -   a conductor, such as an essentially pin-shaped conductor and a        base body are provided; and    -   the conductor, for example the essentially pin-shaped conductor,        is sealed into a base body embedded in a glass or glass ceramic        material, resulting in the feed-through for a part of a housing,        in particular a battery cell housing.

In addition, a method is shown for the provision of a feed-through intoa base body into a housing part, which distinguishes itself in that thefeed-through is connected with the base body and the therein sealedconductor, for example the pin-shaped conductor by welding, for examplelaser welding, electron beam welding, ultrasonic welding, resistancewelding as well as alternatively by soldering, shrinking, pressing orflanging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1a-1b illustrate a first embodiment of an inventive feed-throughwith a metal pin and a base body in a housing component, whereby thebase body is in the embodiment of a flange ring;

FIGS. 2a-2b illustrate a second embodiment of an inventive feed-throughwith a base body which is in the embodiment of a welding ring;

FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of an inventive feed-through,whereby the base body is connected with the housing component in thearea of the opening by laser welding, soldering, shrinking orelectro-welding;

FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate a fourth embodiment of the inventive feed-throughwith a conical ring as the base body which is to be placed into anopening in the housing component;

FIG. 4d illustrates an embodiment of the inventive feed-through with abase body including a flange;

FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate one embodiment of an inventive feed-through withan oval pin-shaped conductor having an oval head part;

FIGS. 6a-6b illustrate an additional embodiment of the present inventionwith a circular pin-shaped conductor with a circular head part;

FIGS. 7a-7b illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present inventionhaving a pin-shaped conductor with a head part;

FIGS. 8a-8b illustrate an embodiment of an inventive feed-through withthermal barrier and mechanical relief;

FIGS. 9a-9b illustrate an additional embodiment of an inventivefeed-through with a thermal barrier and mechanical relief;

FIGS. 10a-10b illustrate a battery cell with a battery cell housing anda feed-through according to the present invention with feed-throughcomponent without head part with electrode connecting component;

FIGS. 11a-11b illustrate a battery cell with a battery cell housing anda feed-through with feed-through component with a head part according tothe present invention, with an electrode connecting component; and

FIGS. 12a-12c illustrate a battery cell with a battery cell housing anda feed-through with feed-through component according to an additionalembodiment of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown an inventive feed-through 3 through a housing component 5 of ahousing, for example a housing for an accumulator, such as a batterycell for a lithium-ion battery, according to, for example FIGS. 10a -12c.

Even though in the following, examples for pin-shaped conductors withouta head part are described, these examples may also apply to pin-shapedconductors with a head part, without this being explicitly expressed.

Housing component 5 includes an opening 7 which is placed into thehousing component. The inventive feed-through, including the base body,in particular the essentially ring-shaped base body 9 which accommodatesthe conductor, in particular the essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 isinserted into opening 7. Pin-shaped conductor 11 is sealed intoessentially ring-shaped base body 9. In order to provide a hermeticfeed-through of pin-shaped conductor 11 through base body 9 and therebyopening 7, essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 is sealed into a glassplug consisting of a glass- or glass ceramic material. In other words,base body 9 and essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 are sealed withglass 13. If materials with different coefficients of expansion α areused, for example for base body 9, pin-shaped conductor 11 and glassmaterial 13, then a so-called compression seal feed-through can beprovided. The advantage of a compression seal feed-through consists inthat, that even under a greater load upon the glass plug 13, for examplein the event of compressive stress, expulsion of the glass plug 13 withmetal pin 11 from base body 9 is avoided. The sealing temperature of theglass- or glass ceramic material is, for example approximately 20K to100K below the melting temperature of the material of base body 9 and/orof pin-shaped conductor 11. If base body 9 is constructed of a metalhaving a low melting point, in particular a light metal, for examplealuminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy or AlSiC,titanium, a titanium alloy, but also steel, stainless steel orhigh-grade steel, then a glass material through which the conductor isguided and which includes the following components in Mole percent(mol-%) may be used:

-   P₂O₅ 35-50 mol-%, for example 39-48 mol-%;-   Al₂O₃ 0-14 mol-%, for example 2-12 mol-%;-   B₂O₃ 2-10 mol-%, for example 4-8 mol-%;-   Na₂O 0-30 mol-%, for example 0-20 mol-%;-   M₂O 0-20 mol-%, for example 12-20 mol-%, whereby M is K, Cs, or Rb;-   PbO 0-10 mol-%, for example 0-9 mol-%;-   Li₂O 0-45 mol-%, for example 0-40 mol-%, or 17-40 mol-%;-   BaO 0-20 mol-%, for example 0-20 mol-%, or 5-20 mol-%; and-   Bi₂O₃ 0-10 mol-%, for example 1-5 mol-%, or 2-5 mol-%.

In a further embodiment, the glass composition according to the presentinvention includes the following components in mol-%:

P₂O₅ 38-50 mol-%, for example 39-48 mol-%;

Al₂O₃ 3-14 mol-%, for example 4-12 mol-%;

B₂O₃ 4-10 mol-%, for example 4-8 mol-%;

Na₂O 10-30 mol-%, for example 14-20 mol-%;

K₂O 10-20 mol-%, for example 12-19 mol-%; and

PbO 0-10 mol-%, for example 0-9 mol-%.

Below, eight examples are shown in Table 1 for the aforementioned glasscompositions.

TABLE 1 Examples: AB1 AB2 AB3 AB4 AB5 AB6 AB7 AB8 Mol-% P₂O₅ 47.6 43.343.3 43.3 37.1 40.0 42.0 46.5 B₂O₃ 7.6 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.9 6.0 6.0 7.6 Al₂O₃4.2 8.6 8.7 2.0 2 12.0 12.0 4.2 Na₂O 28.3 17.3 15.0 16.0 28.3 K₂O 12.417.3 17.3 18.0 19.0 12.4 PbO 9.0 BaO 8.7 8.7 15.4 14 Li₂O 17.3 34.6 42.1Bi₂O₃ 5 1 Hemispherical 513 554 564 540 625 553 502 Temperature (° C.) α(20-300° C.) 19 16.5 14.9 13.7 14.8 16.7 16.0 19.8 (10⁻⁶/K) Tg (° C.)325 375 354 369 359 392 425 347 Density in 2.56 3 3.02 2.63 grams percubic centimeter [g/cm³] Leaching 18.7 14.11 7.66 12.63 1.47 3.7 29.018.43 In Mass % (Ma-%) Weight 10.7 0.37 0.1 0.13 0.13 n.b. 0.006/0.0010.45/0.66 Loss (%) after 70 h in 70° C.- water

The aforementioned special glass composition distinguishes itself inthat the glass materials have very high thermal expansions in the rangeof >15×10⁻⁶/K, for example in the range 15×10⁶/K to 25×10⁻⁶/K fortemperatures between 20° C. and 300° C., and therefore in the range ofthe thermal expansion of light metals such as aluminum, but also ofsimilar metals for essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 which are guidedthrough glass material 13, namely copper. At room temperature, aluminumhas a thermal expansion of α=23×10⁻⁶/K, copper of 16.5×10⁻⁶/K. In orderto avoid that during the sealing process the light metal of the basebody and possibly also the metal pin melts or deforms, the meltingtemperature of the glass material is below the melting temperature ofthe material of the base body and/or the conductor. The sealingtemperature of the listed glass composition is then in the range of 250°C. to 650° C. Sealing of essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 into basebody 9 prior to placing feed-through 3 into opening 7 is achieved inthat the glass together with the conductor 11, in particular pin-shapedconductor 11 is heated to the sealing temperature of the glass, so thatthe glass material softens and surrounds the conductor, for example thepin-shaped conductor 11 in the opening and fits against base body 9. If,for example as described above, aluminum is used for base body 9 aslight metal having a melting point (T_(melt))=660.32° C., then thesealing temperature of the glass material is, as described above may bein the range of 350° C. to 640° C. The material of pin-shaped conductor11 is, for example, identical to the material of base body 9 which hasthe advantage that the coefficient of expansion for base body 9 and formetal pin 11 is identical. Pin shaped conductor 11 may include or beformed by aluminum, an aluminum alloy, AlSiC, copper, a copper alloy,CuSiC- or NiFe-alloys, a copper core, that is a NiFe jacket with aninterior copper part, silver, a silver alloy, gold or a gold alloy. Ifthe coefficient of expansion α in the range of 20° C. to 300° C. of theglass or glass ceramic material is not completely adapted to thematerial of base body 9 then a compression seal feed-through isprovided. Otherwise it is a so-called adapted feed-through.

Exemplary materials for base body 9 are light metals, such as aluminum(Al), AlSiC, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium,a titanium alloy. Alternative materials for base body 9 are metals suchas steel, stainless steel, high-grade steel or tool steel.

Sealing temperature of the glass or glass ceramic is to be understood tobe the temperature of the glass or the glass ceramic whereby the glassmaterial softens and then fits closely against the metal with which isto be sealed so that a bonded joint connection is obtained between theglass or the glass ceramic and the metal.

The sealing temperature may, for example, be determined through thehemispherical temperature as described in R. Görke, K. J. Leers: Keram.Z. 48 (1996) 300-305, or according to DIN 51730, ISO 540 or CEN/TS 15404and 15370-1 whose disclosure content is incorporated in its entiretyinto the current patent application. The measurement of thehemispherical temperature is described in detail in DE 10 2009 011 182A1 whose disclosure content is incorporated in its entirety into thecurrent patent application.

The solder glasses having become known from DE 10 2009 011 182 A1pertain to high temperature applications, for example fuel cells.

The previously cited phosphate glass compositions have a lithium-shareof up to 45 mol-%, for example 35 mol-%. Surprisingly, these glasscomposition are crystallization-stable, meaning they do no displaydetrimental crystallization during a downstream sintering process, inparticular any substantial crystallization for less than 35 mol-%.

The previously mentioned glass compositions contain lithium (Li) whichis integrated in the glass structure. The glass compositions are herebyespecially suited for lithium-ion storage devices which includeelectrolytes based on lithium, for example a 1 M LiPF₆-solution,including a 1:1 mixture of ethylene-carbonate and dimethyl-carbonate.

Low sodium or respectively sodium-free glass compositions may also beutilized, since the diffusion of the alkali-ions occurs in Na+>K+>Cs+sequence and since therefore low sodium or respectively sodium-freeglasses are especially resistant to electrolytes, especially those whichare used in lithium-ion storage devices.

The previously cited glass compositions have a thermal expansion α (20°C. to 300° C.)>14×10⁻⁶/K, for example between 15×10⁻⁶/K and 25×10⁻⁶/K.An additional advantage of the glass composition is that sealing of theglass with the surrounding light metal or respectively the metal of theconductor, for example in the embodiment of a metal pin, is possiblealso in a gaseous atmosphere which is not an inert gas atmosphere. Incontrast to the previously used method, a vacuum is also no longernecessary for aluminum-sealing. This type of sealing can rather occurunder atmospheric conditions. For both types of sealing nitrogen (N₂) orargon (Ar) can be used as inert gas. As a pre-treatment for sealing, themetal is cleaned and/or etched, and if necessary is subjected totargeted oxidizing or coating. During the process temperatures ofbetween 300 and 600° C. are used at heating rates of 0.1 to 30 Kelvinper minute (K/min) and dwell times of 1 to 60 minutes.

Furthermore, housing part 5 of the housing of the battery or batterycell, in this case the battery cover is illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1band is equipped with the openings for the feed-through of theelectrodes. The battery cover or respectively the housing component isalso, for example, produced from aluminum. Materials also conceivablefor the battery cover or the housing part are however also: aluminumalloys, magnesium as well as magnesium alloys, AlSiC, titanium, titaniumalloys, but also steel, stainless steel or high-grade steel. The housingpart has outside 20.1 and inside 20.2. The outside 20.1 is characterizedin that it extends outward from the battery cell; the inside in that itextends—for example in the case of a lithium-ion accumulator—toward theelectrolyte of the battery cell. The entire housing with battery celland feed-throughs is illustrated in FIGS. 10a -12 c.

In the case of lithium-ion batteries, typically a non-aqueouselectrolyte, typically consisting of a carbonate, such as a carbonatemixture, for example a mixture of ethylene-carbonate anddimethyl-carbonate is used, whereby the aggressive non-aqueous batteryelectrodes include a conducting salt, for example conducting salt LiPF₆in the form of a 1-Molar solution.

According to the first embodiment, base body 9 features protrusion 30,whereby wall thickness W₁ of the ring-shaped base body in the exampleaccording to FIG. 1a is greater on the outside of housing part 5 thanthickness W₁ of ring-shaped base body 9 in the region of the inside ofthe housing part 5, resulting in contact 32 of base body 9 on theoutside of the ring-shaped body 9. Ring body 9 can be connected withhousing part 5 in the area of contact 32 by laser welding, electron beamwelding, soldering, shrinking into opening 7, as well as pressing intoopening 7 and flanging.

FIG. 1b is an analog configuration compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1aof a feed-through, wherein identical reference numbers have been usedfor identical components. However, in this case width W₁ in the regionof inside 20.2 is greater than width W₂ in the region of outside 20.1.

Other than that the arrangement, FIG. 1b is identical to FIG. 1a . As inFIG. 1a the connection between housing part 5, in this case the batterycover and base body 9 can occur, for example as previously describedthrough laser welding, electron beam welding, soldering, shrinking orpressing into opening 7.

Whereas base body 9 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b is essentially a flangering, ring-shaped base body 109 according to the arrangement shown inFIGS. 2a and 2b is a ring-shaped base body 109 with a welding ring 170.Identical components as in FIGS. 1a and 1b are identified with referencenumbers increased by 100. The arrangement according to FIGS. 2a to 2b issubstantially identical to the arrangements according to FIGS. 1a to 1b. The ring-shaped base body 109 with a welding ring 170 permits joiningof base body 109 with the housing part 105 by alternative connectionmethods. Connecting ring-shaped base body 109 of feed-through 103 withthe housing part 105 in the region of welding ring 170 can occur throughresistance welding or resistance soldering.

FIG. 3 illustrates an additional arrangement of the present invention.Identical components as in FIGS. 1a to 1b and 2a to 2b are identifiedwith reference numbers increased by 200 compared to FIGS. 1a and 1b orrespectively 100 compared to FIGS. 2a to 2b . In contrast to thearrangements according to FIGS. 1a to 1b and 2a to 2b , base body 209has no different widths W1 and W2, so that a contact 32 is created.Width W of the ring-shaped base body is uniform over the entire height.Ring-shaped base body 209 having the same width over the entire heightis placed into opening 207. A connection between housing part 205 andfeed-through 203, including ring-shaped base body 209 as well as glassmaterial 213 and the essentially pin-shaped conductor 211 is achieved byinsertion into opening 207 and subsequent joining in the region of sidewalls 219 of opening 207. The connection can be accomplished throughlaser welding, soldering, shrinking, pressing into the opening orelectron beam welding.

Referring now to FIGS. 4a-4c there are shown alternative arrangements ofa feed-through 303 which is placed into opening 307 in housing part 305.This is essentially consistent with the arrangement according to FIG. 3,whereby identical components are identified by reference numbersincreased by 100. In contrast to FIG. 3, base body 309 is however in theform of a conical ring which is inserted into a conically progressingopening 307. The connection between the feed-through occurs againbetween the side walls of conical opening 307 and conical base body 309,for example through welding, soldering, flanging, shrinking. It ishowever also possible to press the essentially conically progressingannular base body 309 into conical opening 307 in housing part 305. Theconical base body can be in the form of the three arrangementsillustrated in FIGS. 4a-4c . In FIG. 4a base body 309 is conical onoutside 395 toward housing part 305; in FIG. 4b on the outside 395 aswell as on inside 397 facing pin-shaped conductor 311 and in FIG. 4conly on inside 397. Due to the conical form of the opening as well as ofthe base body, a relative movement of the feed-through in the directionof outside 320.1 of housing part 305 is avoided, since the conical boreand the conically shaped base body act as a barb and a relative movementin the direction of outside 320.1 leads to a positive locking fitbetween base body 309 of feed-through 303 and the sidewalls of opening307.

One advantage of the arrangement according to FIGS. 4a to 4c is thateven under increased load on the feed-through 303, for example pressureload, pushing feed-through 303 with metal pin 311 out of feed-throughopening 307 is securely avoided. Openings 307 may be introduced intohousing part 305 through a simple manufacturing method, for examplepunching.

FIG. 4d shows an alternative embodiment of a housing part 255 with aring shaped base body 259. The housing part 255 has a first height orthickness Di. Shaped base body 259 has a second height or thickness D₂and a third height or thickness D₃. The second height or thickness D₂ isfor a wall thickness W₁ and the third height or thickness D₃ is for awall thickness W₃, which corresponds to a flange 260 of the ring shapedbase body 259. The third thickness or height D₃ of the flange 260 of thebase body 259 corresponds essentially to the thickness or height D₁ ofthe housing part 255. When the thickness D₃ of the flange 260 of thebase body 259 corresponds to the thickness D₁ of the housing 255, thehousing 255 and the flange 260 align in a plane on an inner side of thehousing 255. This provides more space for the electrodes within thehousing 255. When the flange 260 and housing 255 align in a plane on anouter side of the housing 255, more space for, e.g., electronics and/orconnectors such as plugs, is provided. With an embodiment comprising aflange with essentially the same thickness as the housing, the weldingand/or soldering of the base part to the housing is improved. In such acase, rather than two parts of different thicknesses at the edge of thetwo parts being welded together, instead two parts of essentially equalthickness are connected by welding. In case of laser welding, especiallyif laser welding is applied, the welding line does not need to be placedon the edges of parts of differing thickness. This can contribute tomaking the welding procedure more effective. The second thickness orheight D₂ of the base body 259 corresponds to a glassing length EL of aglass material 262 in an opening 270 of the base body 259. Through theopening 270 of the base body 259, a conductor or pin 261 is guided. Theconductor or pin 261 is embedded in the glass material 262 along theglassing length EL. The thickness D₂ can be selected to provide acompression seal, i.e. the base body 259 exerts a compression force ontothe glass or glass ceramic material 262 along the glassing length EL.Since D₃ is smaller than D₂, thermal and mechanical stress caused by thesoldering or welding procedure can effectively be reduced at the glassor glass ceramic material 262. By selecting suitable values of D₃ andD₂, the compressive force onto the glass or glass ceramic material 262and the thermal and mechanical stress induced by the soldering orwelding procedure can be balanced. The base body 259 with a flange 260can be produced by cold forming or as a stepped bore. The thickness D₃of the flange can be about 10 to 80%, such as 30 to 70% of the thicknessD₂ of the base body 259. The thickness D₂ can be between 3 mm and 8 mm,such as 4 mm to 6 mm and the thickness D₃ can be between 0.5 mm and 3mm, such as 1 mm to 3 mm. The flange 260 of the base body 259 can beconnected by welding, soldering, pressing, crimping and/or shrinking tothe housing part 255 in area 280. One possible method is welding inorder to provide for a hermetically sealed connection with a heliumleakage rate smaller than 1·10⁻⁸ mbar l/sec.

Referring now to FIGS. 5a to 5c and FIGS. 7a to 7b , there areillustrated arrangements of the present invention whereby againring-shaped base body 509 is provided. However, here the pin-shapedconductor 511 is equipped with a head part 580. Sealing in thisarrangement according to FIGS. 5a to 5c as well as 6 a to 6 b and FIGS.7a to 7b occurs not only between pin-shaped conductor 511, which can beinserted through ring-shaped base body 509 which, as for exampleillustrated in FIG. 3 can be inserted into the housing part, but in thiscase the glass material or glass ceramic material 513 is also introducedbetween base body 509 and head part 580.

The dimensions A1 of head part 580 are hereby greater than dimensions A1of the essentially pin-shaped conductor 511. With a conductor having anessentially round cross section, the dimensions of the head part arethen greater than the diameter of the pin-shaped conductor. This meansthat the head surface of the head part is greater than the head surfaceof pin-shaped conductor 511 with which head part 580 is connected. Headpart 580 can moreover be configured such that it can be connected withan electrode connecting component. The electrode connecting componentis, for example, a component of copper for the cathode or aluminum forthe anode. The connection of head part and electrode connectingcomponent (not illustrated) occurs through a mechanically stable, forexample non-detachable electrical connection. A mechanically stable,non-detachable electrical connection of this type is provided in thatthe head part and the electrode connecting part is firmly connected bywelding, such as resistance welding, electron beam welding, frictionwelding, ultrasonic welding, bonding, gluing, soldering, caulking,shrinking, grouting, jamming and crimping. The connection of head partand electrode connecting part occurs after head part 580 and pin-shapedconductor 511 are inserted or sealed into the housing of the battery orbattery cell. It would of course also be possible, to connect thefeed-through component with the electrode connecting component prior toinsertion or respectively sealing into the housing opening.

An arrangement with head part 580 provides a feed-through which, whenused in a housing for battery cells requires only a small interiorspace. The head part of the inventive feed-through component has a verylarge supporting surface for the connection of the electrode connectingcomponent. Very high stability is herewith achieved in the connectionarea. In particular, compared to a connection of the electrodeconnecting components directly to the pin-shaped conductor asubstantially greater flexural rigidity is achieved. Another advantageof connecting the electrode connecting components via the head part isin that, as opposed to a direct connection with the pin, constrictions,or considerable changes in the cross sectional area in the conductingpath from the battery cell to the feed-through through the housing ofthe battery cell are avoided. Cross sectional constrictions—especiallyat high currents of 20 amps (A) to 500 A—lead to high heat dissipationin lithium-ion accumulators as the energy supplier in automobiles, whichcan cause problems in the battery cells. Such heat losses can be avoidedwith inventive head part 580.

An extension 582 protrudes over the conductor, in particular thepin-shaped conductor 511, for example over inside 520.2 into theinterior of the battery cell, whereby extension 582 of the conductor canaid centering of the previously addressed electrode connecting part.Extension 582 of the pin-shaped conductor is preferably always roundregardless of the shape of the conductor which may for example be ovalor round. Also, the dimension of the extension and the essentiallypin-shaped conductor can be different.

Ring-shaped base body 509 can also assume different forms, for exampleas shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c an oval outer shape 590, whereby then alsothe conductor in the area where it is guided through the oval basebody—that is in region 511—can be oval; the head part as shown in thetop view in FIG. 5b however is round for connection to the electrodeconnecting components.

Alternatively to an oval configuration of the ring-shaped base body, thepin-shaped conductor and the extension, which is particularlyadvantageous on narrow battery covers, it is possible to design thepin-shaped conductor as well as the centering extension and the basebody ring-shaped. Shapes can obviously also be mixed, that is, oval basebody with ring-shaped, pin-shaped conductor without any furtherdescription thereof.

A ring-shaped base body with ring-shaped, pin-shaped conductor is shownin FIGS. 6a to 6b . Identical components as in FIGS. 5a to 5c areidentified by reference numbers increased by 100, for example in FIGS.6a to 6c the pin-shaped conductor is identified with reference number611, the head part with 680 and the annular base body with 609.

In order to connect other connecting parts or connecting components tothe electrodes, it is provided in an arrangement according to FIGS. 7aand 7b to project head surface 780 of head part over the diameter of theopening. Identical components as in FIGS. 5a to 5c are identified withreference numbers increased by 200, for example the pin-shaped conductoris identified with reference number 711 and the annular base body with709. Due to accessibility from both sides, the projection 782 of headpart 780 also allows, joining by through-welding, resistance welding orriveting in addition to the previously described connection methods.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 7 it can be clearly seen, especiallythe inventive characteristic of the feed-through component, that thesurface of head part 780 (F_(HEAD PART)) is larger than the surface ofpin-shaped conductor 711 (F_(CONDUCTOR)).

Since in the arrangement according to FIGS. 7a and 7b the dimensions andshape of the extension of pin-shaped conductor 711 correspond, the crosssectional surface of the extension illustrated in the top view isconsistent with the surface of the pin-shaped conductor.

Shown in FIGS. 8a-9b are embodiments of a feed-through of a pin-shapedconductor through a base body whereby the feed-through into the housingcomponent, in particular the battery cover, is shown with a thermalbarrier and a mechanical relief. More specifically, the inventivefeed-through illustrated in each of FIGS. 8a and 8b feature a reliefdevice for mechanical relief and shown as thermal barrier.

In contrast to the embodiments according to FIGS. 1a -4, base body 809according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b includes acircumferential groove 850 as the relief device. An essentiallypin-shaped conductor 811 is again sealed with a glass or glass ceramicmaterial 813 into base body 809 which features circumferential groove850.

Even though not illustrated and implicitly expressed, in an alternativeembodiment the conductor can also be configured to include a head part,without the expert having to become inventively active.

Further shown in FIG. 8a is also a housing part 805, essentially a coverfor the battery cell. The feed-through, consisting of base body 809 withessentially pin-shaped conductor sealed, is circumferentially connectedwith hosing part 805 in region 870, for example by welding, inparticular laser welding. Circumferential groove 850 on the one handprovides a thermal barrier, on the other it provides the necessaryelasticity in order to protect or respectively de-stress thefeed-through, in particular in the region of seal 813. Thecircumferential groove 850 achieves in particular that occurringmechanical and thermal stresses upon the glass or respectively glassceramic material are reduced. Crack formations in the glass orrespectively glass-ceramic material of the feed-through which could leadto leakage can herewith be considerably reduced.

The arrangement according to FIG. 8b again shows a feed-through having acircumferential groove 850 as a relief device in the base body 809. Incontrast to the arrangement according to FIG. 8a , housing component 805in this case is provided with protrusion 880 in the region of theconnection between feed-through and housing component 805. Compared tothe arrangement according to FIG. 8a this leads to an even bettermechanical relief. Base body 809 can moreover be connected with housingpart 805 over its entire thickness D, thereby permitting a precisewelding process.

FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate alternative embodiments to FIGS. 8a and 8b ,whereby a relief device as well as a thermal barrier are also providedin FIGS. 9a and 9b . In contrast to the embodiment in accordance withFIG. 8a , the base body 909 in this case is not equipped with acircumferential groove as relief device, but instead with a protrusion990. Identical components as in FIGS. 8a-8b are identified withreference numbers increased by 100 compared to FIGS. 8a and 8b .Accordingly, pin-shaped conductor is identified with reference 911, andthe glass and glass ceramic material with 913. The region of theconnection between feed-through and housing component is identified with970. The advantages described above for FIG. 8a also apply to FIG. 9aand are herewith included.

FIG. 9b illustrates an alternative embodiment to that illustrated inFIG. 9a . In addition to the essentially ring-shaped base body 909,cover part 905 also has a protrusion 980. The advantages described abovefor FIG. 8b also apply to FIG. 9b and are herewith included.

All arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 8a to 9b which provide amechanical and thermal relief are possible with a pin-shaped conductor811 instead of the illustrated arrangement, also with a pin-shapedconductor with head part, as described in detail in FIGS. 5 to 7. Thedisclosure content of the description relating to FIGS. 5 through 7 isherewith included in its entirety without requiring special referencethereto.

Referring now to FIGS. 10a-11b , there is illustrated complete batterycells for a lithium-ion battery, with inserted feed-throughs accordingto the present invention. FIGS. 10a-10b illustrate one arrangement ofthe present invention wherein the pin-shaped conductor is not equippedwith a head part, that is, a feed-through according to FIGS. 1a through4, or respectively 9 a through 10 b. In contrast thereto, FIGS. 11a to11b show a battery cell with a housing and feed-throughs locatedtherein, whereby the pin-shaped conductor is equipped with a head partaccording to the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 10a , there is shown the principle design of abattery cell 1000. Battery cell 1000 includes a housing 1100 with sidewalls 1110 and a cover part 1120. Openings 1130.1, 1130.2 are producedin the opening of cover part 1120 of housing 1100, for example bystamping. Feed-throughs 1140.1, 1140.2 are again inserted in bothopenings 1130.1, 1130.2.

FIG. 10b shows a detailed section of battery cover 1120 with opening1130.1 and the therein inserted feed-through 1140.1. Feed-through 1140.1comprises a pin-shaped conductor 2003, as well as a base body 2200.Pin-shaped conductor 2003 without a head part is sealed with a glass orglass ceramic material 2280 into base body 2200. After having beensealed into base body 2200 with glass or glass ceramic material 2280,pin-shaped conductor 2003 is inserted into opening 1130.1 as a completecomponent, for example in that base body 2200 of the feed-through, whichconsists, for example of aluminum, is joined, for example, throughwelding with strain-hardened cover part 1120 consisting of aluminum.Because of the sealing, only base body 2200 is softened. A recess 2002in which an electrode connecting part 2020 is inserted is provided onthe pin-shaped conductor. The electrode connecting component servesagain either as cathode or as anode of electrochemical cell 2004 ofbattery cell 1000. Housing 1100 surrounds battery cell 1000 in theembodiment of battery cell housing.

As can be seen in FIG. 10a , based on the structure of feed-through1140.1, 1140.2 with a pin-shaped conductor 2003 and an electrodeconnecting component which is inserted in recess 2002 of the pin-shapedconductor and which is to be connected with electrochemical cell 2004, alarge space 2006 is associated which is created between electrochemicalcell 2004 and cover 1120.

Due to the inventive structure of feed-through with pin-shaped conductorand head part as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b , it is possible to minimizethe unused space in the battery cell housing. Identical components as inFIGS. 10a and 10b are identified with reference numbers increased by2000. Feed-throughs 3140.1, 3140.2 are again inserted in openings3130.1, 3130.2 of cover 3120 of battery cell housing 3100. In contrastto the feed-through component of the feed-throughs illustrated in FIGS.10a and 10b , the feed-through component is now provided with apin-shaped conductor 3003 as well as with a head part 3005. The headpart is equipped with an extension 3030, as well as with an electrodeconnecting component 3010 which is firmly attached to head part 3005 bywelding, soldering or other previously described method. The electrodeconnecting component has a segment 3140, whereby segment 3140 serves ascathode or respectively anode for electrochemical cell 4004. As can beseen from FIGS. 11a to 11b the advantage of the inventive feed-throughcomponent is clearly recognizable. The configuration of the feed-throughillustrated in FIGS. 11a through 11b determines that as little space aspossible inside the battery cell housing remains unused.

The arrangement of the feed-through in FIGS. 11a and 11b issubstantially consistent with the arrangement of the feed-through shownin FIGS. 6a to 6b . The description for FIGS. 6a to 6b is herebyaccepted in its entirety into the current description of the batterycell.

FIGS. 12a to 12c illustrate an additional arrangement of an inventivebattery housing with a feed-through. Identical components as in theaforementioned drawings are identified with reference numbers increasedby 5000. The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 12a to 12c distinguishthemselves in that the conductors, essentially pin-shaped conductors7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 facing toward the battery cell do not have around shape, that is they do not have a round cross section as shown forexample in FIGS. 10a-11b , but instead have an essentially rectangularcross section 7100. Conductor 7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 moreover each hastwo bent locations. Conductor 7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 in principlealready forms segment 8110 at its end which is facing toward the batterycell and which serves as cathode or respectively as anode for theelectrochemical cell (not illustrated). In contrast to the embodimentaccording to FIGS. 11a and 11b where a separate electrode connectingcomponent (identified with 3110 in FIG. 11b ) is attached to theconductor, in particular the pin-shaped conductor, for example bywelding, the electrode connecting component and the essentiallypin-shaped conductor in the embodiments according to FIGS. 12a to 12 isa single-piece unit. This is advantageous from a manufacturing point ofview since no two parts have to be connected with each other. Conductors7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 distinguish themselves essentially through thecross sectional shape of the conductor in the region of feed-through8140.1, 8140.2, 8140.3. In the arrangement according to FIG. 12a thecross section of the conductor in the region of seal 7280 is alsoessentially rectangular.

In the arrangement according to FIG. 12b the cross section is roundinstead of the rectangular cross section in the region of seal 7280.This conductor is identified with reference number 7003.2. In theembodiment according to FIG. 12b , the conductor features a round crosssection facing the outside of the battery cell in contrast to theembodiment according to FIG. 12 a.

In the arrangement according to FIG. 12c , the cross section in theregion of seal 7280 is also round, like in FIG. 12b , however conductor7003.3 is crimped in the region of connection to the outside of thebattery housing and its cross section is therefore rectangular, forexample square. In all of FIGS. 12a through 12c , the covers of thebattery housings are identified with 8120, the base body into whichconductor 7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 is sealed is identified with 8130.

The current invention cites for the first time a feed-through for ahousing, in particular a battery cell housing, for example for alithium-ion battery, which can be pre-manufactured and which isespecially suited to be utilized in housing components of battery cellhousings. The battery cell housing includes, for example, a light metalsuch as aluminum (Al), an aluminum alloy, AlSiC, magnesium, a magnesiumalloy, titanium or a titanium alloy. However, metals such as steel orhigh-grade steel, in particular stainless steel or tool steel arepossible as materials for the battery cell housing. In such a case thematerials of the base body and/or the essentially pin-shaped conductorare adapted.

The inventive solution further allows reverting to a cost-effectivemanufacturing process and basic materials. Moreover, the entirefeed-through can be in the embodiment of a pre-manufactured componentinto which the metal pin is sealed into a base body by a bondingmaterial that is, for example a glass plug, before the base body isplaced into the housing component. This ensures that there is no loss ofstrain-hardening in the housing component. Moreover, materialthicknesses and materials for the housing component and the base bodycan be selected independently. The feed-through can be mechanically, aswell as thermally, relieved through a special arrangement with a reliefdevice.

While this invention has been described with respect to at least oneembodiment, the present invention can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical storage device, comprising: ahousing part having at least one housing opening; and a feed-throughplaced in said at least one housing opening, said feed-throughincluding: one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; atleast one conductor embedded in said one of a glass material and a glassceramic material; and a base body having a base body opening throughwhich said at least one conductor embedded in said one of a glassmaterial and a glass ceramic material is guided, wherein said base bodyis seated in said at least one housing opening and is hermeticallysealed with the housing part such that the helium leakage rate issmaller than 1·10⁻⁸ mbar l/sec.
 2. The electrical storage deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said electrical storage device is abattery and the housing part consists of a metal and said metal is oneof aluminum, an aluminum alloy, aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC),magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, steel,stainless steel and a high-grade steel.
 3. The electrical storage deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one conductor is anessentially pin shaped conductor, a material of said pin-shapedconductor being one of copper, copper silicon carbide (CuSiC), a copperalloy, aluminum, aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC), an aluminum alloy,magnesium, a magnesium alloy, nickel-iron (NiFe), a NiFe jacket with acopper core, silver, a silver alloy, gold, a gold alloy and acobalt-iron alloy and a material of said base body being one ofaluminum, AlSiC, an aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel, high-gradesteel, tool steel, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, and atitanium alloy.
 4. The electrical storage device according to claim 1,wherein said base body includes a relief device.
 5. The electricalstorage device according to claim 4, wherein said relief device includesat least one of a groove and a protrusion.
 6. The electrical storagedevice according to claim 1, wherein said one of glass material andglass ceramic material includes the following in mol-%: P₂O₅ 35-50mol-%; Al₂O₃ 0-14 mol-%; B₂O₃ 2-10 mol-%; Na₂O 0-30 mol-%; M₂O 0-20mol-%, said M being one of K, Cs and Rb; PbO 0-10 mol-%; Li₂O 0-45mol-%; BaO 0-20 mol-%; and Bi₂O₃ 0-10 mol-%.
 7. The electrical storagedevice according to claim 1, wherein said at least one conductor is anessentially pin-shaped conductor including a head part having a headsurface which is larger than a surface of said pin-shaped conductor. 8.A lithium-ion storage device, comprising: a housing including a parthaving at least one part opening; a feed-through placed in said at leastone part opening, said feed-through including: one of a glass materialand a glass ceramic material; at least one conductor embedded in saidone of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; and a base bodyhaving a base body opening through which said at least one conductorembedded in said one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material isguided, and wherein said base body is seated in said at least one partopening and is hermetically sealed with said part such that the heliumleakage rate is smaller than 1·10⁻⁸ mbar l/sec.
 9. A method forproducing an electrical storage device, the method comprising: providinga housing part having at least one housing part opening, a conductor anda base body; embedding said conductor in one of a glass material and aglass ceramic material; sealing said embedded conductor into a base bodyopening of said base body to form a feed-through for the housing part;and connecting said feed-through with the housing part, wherein saidbase body is seated in said at least one housing part opening of thehousing part and is hermetically sealed with the housing part by one ofwelding, soldering, pressing, crimping and shrinking such that thehelium leakage rate is smaller than 1·10⁻⁸ mbar l/sec.
 10. An electricalstorage device, comprising: a housing including a housing part having atleast one housing part opening and a material thickness at least in aregion around said at least one housing part opening; and a feed-throughplaced in said at least one housing part opening, said feed-throughincluding: one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; atleast one conductor embedded in said one of a glass material and a glassceramic material; and a base body seated in said at least one housingpart opening and having a base body opening through which said at leastone conductor embedded in said one of a glass material and a glassceramic material is guided along a length, wherein said base body has asecond thickness in a region facing the material in which the at leastone conductor is embedded and a third thickness in a region facing theat least one housing part opening of the housing part, wherein the thirdthickness is less than the second thickness.
 11. The electrical storagedevice according to claim 10, wherein the base body hermetically sealsthe at least one housing part opening.
 12. The electrical storage deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein the length corresponds essentially to thesecond thickness of the base body.
 13. The electrical storage deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein the third thickness is between 10% and80% of the second thickness.
 14. The electrical storage device accordingto claim 10, wherein the third thickness corresponds essentially to thematerial thickness of the housing part.
 15. The electrical storagedevice according to claim 10, wherein the second thickness is between 3mm and 8 mm.
 16. The electrical storage device according to claim 10,wherein the third thickness is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.
 17. Theelectrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the base bodyis L-shaped with a flange, wherein the base body has the secondthickness and the flange has the third thickness.
 18. The electricalstorage device according to claim 17, wherein the third thickness of theflange is essentially the same as the material thickness of the housingpart.
 19. The electrical storage device according to claim 17, whereinthe base body is hermetically sealed to the housing part by one ofwelding, soldering, pressing, crimping and shrinking.
 20. The electricalstorage device according to claim 19, wherein the hermetic seal allows ahelium leakage rate of less than 1*10⁻⁸ bar.
 21. The electrical storagedevice according to claim 17, wherein the housing part and the flangealign in a plane on an inner side of the housing or an outer side of thehousing.
 22. The electrical storage device according to claim 10,wherein the electrical storage device is a battery and the housing partis a metal part comprising one of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, aluminumsilicon carbide (AlSiC), magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, atitanium alloy, steel, stainless steel and a high-grade steel.
 23. Theelectrical storage device according to claim 22, wherein the base bodyis a metal part comprising one of titanium, a titanium alloy, magnesium,a magnesium alloy, AlSiC, steel, stainless steel, high grade steel, andan aluminum alloy.
 24. The electrical storage device according to claim22, wherein the at least one conductor is essentially pin shaped andcomprises one of copper, copper silicon carbide (CuSiC), a copper alloy,aluminum, aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC), an aluminum alloy,magnesium, a magnesium alloy, nickel-iron (NiFe), a NiFe jacket with acopper core, silver, a silver alloy, gold, a gold alloy, and acobalt-iron alloy and a material of said base body comprises one ofaluminum, AlSiC, an aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel, high-gradesteel, tool steel, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, and atitanium alloy.
 25. The electrical storage device according to claim 10,wherein the base body exerts a compression force onto said one of aglass material and a glass ceramic material along the length.
 26. Theelectrical storage device according to claim 1, wherein the at least onehousing part opening is formed by side walls of the housing part, andwherein the base body is hermetically sealed with the side walls of thehousing part forming the at least one housing part opening.
 27. Thelithium-ion storage device according to claim 8, wherein the at leastone part opening is formed by side walls of the part, and wherein thebase body is hermetically sealed with the side walls of the part formingthe at least one part opening.
 28. The method according to claim 9,wherein the at least one housing part opening is formed by side walls ofthe housing part, and wherein the base body is hermetically sealed withthe side walls of the housing part forming the at least one housing partopening.
 29. The lithium-ion storage device according to claim 8,wherein the base body includes a relief device.
 30. The method accordingto claim 9, wherein the base body includes a relief device.